Stockholm

Chapter 2: Taken

This is how I see my girl Jess. Enjoy.

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"Sorry I'm late" I say to my mum practically flying over to the back of the counter and putting on my apron.

It was rush hour at the cafe and I was already late for my shift. By. An. Hour. But I'm really glad Stacey decide to fill in for me, else I'm not sure mum would survive with just Daniel.

******

Thirty minutes into me working and I already wish some of these people would just disappear as I hear the chime of the door bell behind me indicating the arrival of a new customer. Yay.

Little notpad in hand I make my way to the customer whose back faces me and painting on a smile I begin talking without even looking at the person.

"Welcome to Clarissa's coffee what can I... Oh it's you"

Finally looking away from the notepad I cut myself short and my smile instantly falls letting my exhaustion show as recognize who just came in.

"Well hello to you too" he responds, brows furrowed in confusion but eyes glowing In amusement. I smile tiredly knowing I can't pretend with him.

"Sorry Rick, I'm just really tired"

"A long day at school and rush hour, it's enough to make someone grumpy" He reasons and I smile. God he's always so understanding.

"You look good"
He always dresses so richly. White shirt with rolled sleeves, diamond stud, silver chain, silver Rolex on his left hand with three fingers covered in rings. Which just suits his tanned skin.

"Don't tell me you're falling" he leans back in his chair as I roll my eyes pulling them away and up to his dark grey ones.

"What do you do, if you don't mind me asking. I mean you seem well taken care of"

"Why, you want to join me"

"Just answer the question"

"That's for me to know and for you not to. It's safer that way." He answers getting really serious towards the end and I stare at him blankly for sometime.

"What are ... You know what never mind"

"How's your mum... And the boys of course"
"They're great and speaking of mumi have to get goi... "
"And how are you"
"I'm fine just tired not something a little more sleep can't handle"
"No, how are you" he asks in concern lacing his fingers together.

All I do is stare. Rick has known our family for two almost three years, you can say he's part of the family. He's met my dad before and he knows he's a good man. He also knows what his death did to everyone, what it did do me, what it's doing to me.

"I'll live. I have to go I'll have Daniel bring you your usual" I walk away not waiting for a reply but I think he knows there was nothing more to say. I know he's just concerned and God bless him for that but he just had to ask.

******

It's weekend and with Jess being the absolute angel she is she brings us to a club, one she says just opened. I tune her out as she talks, the only thing on my mind being what I'm obviously supposed to be doing, taking care of the boys and I feel kind of guilty for leaving mum alone with them.

I don't even get the name of the club before I'm walking in after a long wait in a line that already tires me out and makes me want to go home. I'd rather be in bed than here watching bodies covered in sweat and other bodily fluids rub against each other in the most unsanitary ways, worst of all rub against them myself.